Lighting fixture



N. R. SCHWARTZ 2,925,489

Feb. 16, 1960 LIGHTING FIXTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 4, 1956 /M ZW n Afm/ma N. R. SCHWARTZ LIGHTING FIXTURE Feb. 16, 1960 Filed Apil 4, 195e 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY d I MM E ,4free/MVS Feb. 16, 1960 N. R. scHwARTz LIGHTING FIXTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 4. 1956 um@ IH g ii,

LIGHTING FIXTURE Nathan Rodney Schwartz, Brooklyn, NSY., assigner to Naras Research Inc., New York, NSY., a corporation of New York Application April 4, 1955, Serial No. 576,056

7 claims. (ci. 24o-173) The present invention relates to an electrical fixture support, and more particularly to supporting means for a fixture of the type having a light source secured thereto. ln a specific embodiment the invention further relates to a support for a lamp mounted to a wall, ceiling or other suitable surface, and having a relatively large moment arm.

There has heretofore existed the problem of providing a fixture support which is easily securable to a wall or other supporting surface, provides a rm base for supporting a fixture having a large moment arm and, at the same time, is readily accessible for repair or replacement of parts.

Accordingly, with these considerations in mind, in addition to others which will hereinafter become readily apparent, it is an object of the present invention to provide a supporting device for an electrical fixture of large moment arm.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical fixture support which is easily mountable on a wall, ceiling or other supporting surface.

Still another object is to provide a support to which a lamp or other fixture may be detachably but securely joined and in which electrical connections and receptacles may be easily mounted.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a support which is readily accessible for the repair or replacement of parts.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of means for readily securing to a fixture sup'- port, auxiliary receptacles or lighting devices.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent when taken in connection with the following description and the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a general view of an embodiment of the xture support as it would appear when used in combination with an adjustable wall lamp.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the fixture support of the present invention showing in detail the various components as they would appear when taken apart.

Figure 3 is a front view of the mounting plate which is secured to the wall or other suitable supporting surface.

Figure 4 is a side view of the mounting plate taken along the lines 4 4 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows. Y

Figure 5 is a top View of the mounting plate taken along the lines 5 5 of Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Essentially my invention comprises a fixture support particularly adaptable for use in combination with lamps or other devices having a large moment arm in which the supporting device comprises a mounting plate which is secured to the wall, ceiling or other suitable surface. Associated with the mounting plate are means for supporting electrical wiring and receptacles, and a canopy member for covering the plate. The canopy is so arranged that it is readily openedfromthe front and therei' nite States Patent 0 2,925,489 Patented Fels. i6, 1960 by provides easy access to the interior thereof when it is desired to repair or replace electrical or mechanical units.

The mounting plate or ring is so designed as to carry, in addition to the usual fastening holes, a series of curved, elongated knock-out slots for rotatably adjusting its position with respect to the surface to which it is secured. Thus it may be readily mounted directly to the wall or to electrical connection boxes and easily aligned to Sit at the proper selected angle on the wall. This is particularly desirable if an electrical connection box, should, prior to the attachment of this device be secured to the wall in an undesirable angular position. The mounting plate also carries means for detachably supporting all of the necessary electrical wiring and receptacles. Therefore, the mounting plate alone may be secured to the wall before the mechanic or electrician attaches any wiring or connections. The light fixture is also detachably secured to the plate so that no problem is involved in supporting the weight of the fixture element when the plate is mounted. Thus, the initial step in the installation of the lighting assembly consists only of attaching the mounting plate and there is no problem of having to support the electrical wiring connection or heavy fixtures at this time. Moreover, because of the fact that any subsequent repair work to the lighting assembly or electrical connections therefor will not require the moving of this mounting plate, it may be fastened to the wall before the room is decorated.

The mounting plate supports an electrical fixture such as a lamp by means of a slide member which is rigidly secured thereto and also securable to the wall or electrical connection box. The slide is of suflicient strength and thickness to support the long moment arm of the fixture which may include a plurality of arms and swivels as in the case of the adjustable lamp herein illustrated.

There is also, on the mounting plate, a pair of studs extending from the surface of the mounting plate which are used as supporting means for a plate carrying electrical receptacles, wiring connections and, if dcsired, an auxiliary lamp for the interior, which lamp may be used as a night light or is otherwise adaptable for use in the interior of the supporting structure.

Receptacles which may be mounted ou this plate and have utility not only for receiving plugs carrying suitable wiring but may also be used as a receptacle for plugging in auxiliary electrical devices such as radios, speakers, inter-communication systems, signal devices, etc.

The canopy or covering for the mounting plate is detachably secured to the mounting plate. This is done, for example, by providing the mounting plate with a circumferential slot into which the canopy is inserted. The canopy itself may take a variety of configurations and may contain associated therewith any number of auxiliary electrical connections and receptacles. An important feature of the canopy is that it carries on the front thereof a removable panel so that electrical or mechanical installations or repairs may be accomplished without removing the entire unit from the wall. This panel may be completely removable, it is preferably slidably mounted so that it may be pulled to one side thereby allowing entry into the interior of the structure. As shown in the specific embodiment hereinabove referred to, the canopy may also provide means for supporting an overhead lamp which may be utilized as auxiliary indirect lighting means.

The arm assembly, which is carried by the slide secured to the mounting ring carries thereon a swivel joint in the portion adjacent the mounting ring and is spring loaded so as to enable the user to easily raise the arm associated with this particular swivel joint.

The other end of this arm is connected to another swivel joint, one end of which is attached to this arm and the other end of which provides means for attaching Vanother'arm section, which vlatter section extends to the lamp shade. This' double swivel joint has both portions thereof spring biased so that in'each case the spring tends to drive either the armV going to the mounting plate or the arm going to the lamp in an upward direction. Thus, this spring biasing arrangement compensates for the weight of the lamp and the user has no difficulty in raising either of these arms. The details of construction of the swivel joint herein referred to are not part of the present invention but are described in more detail in copending application Serial No.V 396,864, filed December 8, 1953, now abandoned Obviously the mounting device herein described and claimed may be used incombination with Various types of lamp supporting arm assemblies capable of rotative or angular adjustment or even with a fixed lamp supporting arm.

Referring now to a specific embodiment of the present invention and in detail to the drawings it can be seen from Figure l how the present fixture support is usable in connection with a wall type adjustable reading lamp. Thus the lamp assembly would be supported by mounting ring 10 which is covered by canopy 11 which may in turn have extending therefrom an indirect lighting unit 12. Also extending from the canopy is a swivel joint 14 which may be spring loaded so as to enable the user to easily raise arm 15 carried thereby. The double swivel joint 16 is similarly spring loaded for arm 15 and also for arm 17 extending from the other end of said double swivel joint. A swivel 19 is provided for supporting the reading lamp. The reading lamp carries a shade 20 and is mounted on swivel joint 19 so as to be universally rotatable. Such mounting may, for example, be accomplished through the use of a swivel joint which allows a rotation of 90 in a direction parallel to the axis of arm 17 and a rotation of 350 around the axis of arm 17. The swivel joint 16 provides rotation in a direction parallel to the axis of arm 15 and 17, respectively and may also, if desired, provide a rotatable motion so as to be also universally adjustable. The end of arm 15 adjacent the canopy is secured in a swivel joint which may also be universally rotatable. For example, a joint may be provided Which is capable of angular movement of 90 in a vertical plane and 350 rotation around the axis of arm 17.

The shade 20 may be of any suitable construction but preferably is insulated so as to maintain the outer surface thereof near ambient temperature. An example of a particularly suitable shade of this type is found in copending application Serial No. 333,519, filed Ianuary 27, 1953, now Patent No. 2,799,773, issued July 16, 1957, and owned by applicants assignee.

Referring to Figures 2 to 5 it can be seen that the mounting plate or ring 10 carries thereon a pair of studs 31 and 32 which are internally threaded to receive a pair of screws 31a and 32a which in turn support receptacle plate 35 by means of hole 31b and slide 32h (see Fig. 2). The mounting plate also carries a series of knockout slots 37 which are curved and elongated so that the position of the mounting ring with respect tothe wall or box upon which it is to be mounted may be varied and the unit may therefore be properly aligned. The,

openings39 and 40 provide means for passage of the electrical wiring to the wall or other supporting surface, while the central opening 42 is for additional mounting screws or fastening devices. The mounting may also be accomplished or further reinforced through a series of mounting holes 45 adjacent the circumference of the mounting ring. Thus, the mounting may be accomplished through slots 37, holes 45, hole 42 or all three, ifV desired.

The mounting ring also carries rigidly secured thereto a channel or slide member 48 which supports the arm and swivel joints used for adjustably supporting the light source. This channeled member is secured to the mounting plate through screws or rivets 50 and is provided with threaded holes 52 for receiving screws which support the slide 43 to whichthe swivel and arm units are secured by means of slidably supported bracket 54. The support for lthe extending arms is found not in the channel or slide 48 but in the screws which extend into the cast mounting ring 10 through holes 52..

Below the mounting ring is a translucent piece 56 which can be used to transmit the light from a relatively dim auxiliary lighting source, usable as a night light. The night light may be removably secured to the receptable plate 35 by clip 67 and is so arranged in the canopy so as to transmit light underneath the channel member 48, i.e. through the opening between slide or channel 48 and the surface of the mounting plate (see Fig. 4).

The receptacle plate 35 as herein illustrated carries a receptacle 60 for the wiringY going into the extendable arm unit and another receptacle 61 for carrying the wiring going into the canopy unit itself. It may also carry clip 67 for attaching the small light 68 thereto.

The canopy 11 is secured to the mounting plate 10 as follows: rThe canopy carries a hole 70 in the upper portion thereof through which a stud, button, or other mechanical locking means 72 integral with the mounting plate is passed.

Moreover, the mounting ring contains a pair of circumferential ridges or flanges 101 having a slot therebetween into which the canopy is fitted so as to make a lightproof and waterproof unit. There is also an opening in the canopy along its lower circumferential rsurface for insertion of plate 54 which holds in place swivel joint 14 and the arm assembly associated therewith.

Washer and lock 98 and 99, respectively, are provided to insure a more secure joint here. The threaded member also is used for rigidly securing it at its other end to the indirect lighting means 90. This light may be used as auxiliary equipment and mounted in a fixed position, on a swivel joint, or in any Vother fashion. It would carry a lamp shade 92 of any suitable composition such as plastic impregnated glass fibre. Screw 106 may be provided in the frame to allow for ready removal or replacement of the lamp shade.

The canopy 11 in addition to performing these functions may also carry on the cylindrical surface thereof a switch 74 for controlling light 68 and an electrical receptacle 78 for plugging in any other desired electrical apparatus. Entry through therfront of the canopy is simplied because of the rotatably slidable cover plate 79 which is attached thereto or removed therefrom by threaded member 80 and which is spring loaded against the canopy through the joint 82 by the action of spring 91. The spring action keeps the cover plate in a fixed pre-selected open position while repairs or replacements are being made, although it is movable when pressure is applied thereto. The screw 109 is for locking the panel Vin place under normal conditions of use. Y

The unit herein described -as supported by the mounting device of the present invention would have particular utility as a wall lamp such as a 'bed light in a hospital. VThe ease Of mounting the lamp combined with the adjustability of the positioning of the'lamp shade would combine to make this ya very ecient, economical, `and practical unit.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention only in connection with preferred embodiments thereof. Many variations and modifications of the'principles of my in-Y vention within the scope of the description herein-are obvious.Y Accordingiy, I prefer-.toV be bound not by the specific disclosure herein but only `by the appended claims,

I claim:

l. A device for supporting an adjustable lighting source against a Wall, ceiling, or other supporting surface comprising a mounting plate carrying curved elongated slots for rotatably adjusting its position on the supporting surface, a pair of internally threaded studs extending from said plate, screw means engaging said threads and securing to said studs a plate for carrying electrical wiring and receptacle means; the said receptacle plate carrying clip means for removably attaching a light bulb thereto; the said mounting plate further containing a circumferential slot; a canopy member insertable into said slot and carrying thereon switching and receptacle means; an opening in the front tace or" said canopy the said canopy further having a front panel' pivotally secured thereto so as to allow the same to selectively cover or uncover said opening, thereby providing ready access to the interior of said canopy; indirect lighting means secured to the pivot point; substantially horizontally disposed slide means secured to said mounting plate; and detachably secured to said slide means, swivel and arm elements for supporting the said adjustable light source.

2. A device for supporting an adjustable lighting source `and indirect lighting means against `a wall, ceiling, or other supporting surface comprising a mounting plate carrying means for attaching it to the supporting surface, a. pair of internally threaded studs extending from said date, means engaging said threads and securing to said tuds plate for carrying electrical wiring and recepacle means; the said mounting plate further containing circumferential slot; a canopy member insertable into i slot; an opening in the front face'of said canopy; e said canopy further having a front panel pivotally cured thereto so as to allow the same to selectively cover or uncover said opening, thereby providing ready access to theinterior of said canopy; indirect lighting means secured to the pivot point; substantially horizontally disposed slide means secured to said mounting plate; and detachably secured to said slide means, swivel and arm elements for supporting the adjustable lighting source.

3. A device for supporting a lighting source against a wall, ceiling, or other supporting surface comprising a mounting plate carying means for attaching it to the supporting surface, a pair of internally threaded studs extending from said plate, means engaging said threads and securing to said studs a plate for carrying electrical wiring land receptacle means; the said mounting plate further containing a circumferential slot; la canopy member insertable into said slot; an opening in the front face of said canopy; the said canopy further having a front panel pivotally secured th reto so as to allov.I the same to selectively cover or uncover said opening, thereby providing ready access to the interior of said canopy;

slide means secured to Said mounting plate; and detachably secured to said slide means, swivel and ann elements for supporting the light source.

4, A device for supporting adjustable lighting source against a wall, ceiling, or other supporting surface comprising a mounting plate having means for securing the plate to the supporting surface, and for rotat-ably adjusting its position yon the supporting surface, a pair of internally threaded studs extendiug'from said plate, means engaging said threads and securing to said studs a plate for carrying electrical wiring and receptacle means; the said receptacle plate carrying clip means for removably attaching a light bulb thereto; a light-transmitting opening in -a bottom portion of the mounting plate; the said l mounting plate fur-ther containing a pair ofV parallel circumferential ridges having therebetween a slot; a canopy foisaid mounting plate insertable into said slot and carrying thereon switching and receptacle means; an opening in the' front face of said canopy the said canopy further having a front panel pivotally secured thereto, spring means allowing the said panel to remain in a pre-selected position to cover or uncover said canopy opening thereby providing ready access to the interior of said canopy; indirect lighting means secured to the pivot point; substantially' horizontally disposed channel means secured to said mounting plate; and slidably secured to said channel means, a swivel and arm lassembly for sucporting the said adjustable light source.-

5. A device for supporting a lighting source against a wall, ceiling, or other supporting surface comprising a mounting plate carrying slots for securing the plate to the supporting surface, a pair of internally threaded studs extending from said plate, means engaging said threads and securing to said studs a plate for carrying electrical wiring and receptacle means; the said mounting plate further containing a pair of parallel circumferential ridges having therebetween a slot; a canopy for said mounting plate insertable into said slot for containing wiring and electrical connections; an opening in the front face of said canopy the said canopy further having a front panel pivotally' secured thereto, spring means allowing the said panel to remain in a pre-selected position to cover or uncover said canopy opening, thereby providing ready access to the interior of said canopy; substantially horizontally disposed channel means secured to said mounting plate; slidably secured to said channel means, a swivel and arm assembly for supporting the light source.

o. A device for supporting an adjustable lighting source against a wall, ceiling, or `other supporting surface comprising a mounting plate carrying slots for securing the plate to the supporting surface, a pair of internally threaded studs extending from said plate, means engaging said'threads and securing to said studs a plate for carrying electrical wiring and a receptacle plate; the said receptacle plate carrying clip means for removably attaching a lightfbulb thereto; a light-transmitting opening in a bottom portion of the mounting plate; the said mounting plate further containing a pair of parallel circumferential ridges having therebetween a slot; a canopy for said mounting plate insertable into said slot for containing wiring and electrical connections; an opening in the front face of said canopy the said canopy further having a front panel pivotally secured thereto, spring i sans allowing the said panel to remain in a pre-selected position to cover or uncover said canopy opening, thereby providing ready access to the interior of said canopy; substantially horizontally disposed channel means secured to said mounting plate; and slidably secured to said channel means, a flexible swivel and arm assembly for supporting the said adjustable light source.

7. A device for supporting a lighting source against a wall, ceiling or other supporting surface comprising a mounting plate carrying means for attaching it to the supporting surface, a pair of internally threaded studs extending from said plate, means engaging said threads and securing to said studs a plate for carrying electrical wiring and receptacle means; the said mounting plate further containing a circumferential slot; a canopy memer insertable into said slot; an opening in the front face of said canopy; the said canopy further having a front panel pivotally secured thereto so as to allow the same to selectively cover or uncover said opening thereby providing ready access to the interior of said canopy; said canopy further having an opening on a circumferential surface thereof; slide means secured to said mounting plate; and passing through said opening and detachably secured to said slide means, a swivel element for adjustably supporting the light source.

References in the ille of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS Havens et al. Aug. 22, 1916 Other references on foliowincage) is u UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,665,330

scottsept. 9, 1924 2,667,571 De Lamar Oct'. 14, 1924 2,749,074 Auen Dec. 9, 1941 2,749,428 Y Pryne May 19, 1953 5 2,760,048

Wong E n.75, 1954 Versen Jan. 26, 1954 Bodiau June 5, 1956 McCarthy June 5, 1956 Schulte Aug. 21, 1956 

